Sales Manager

HotelJobs; South Africa; On-site; ZAR 600,000 - 900,000; Full time

Job summary

HotelJobs seeks an experienced Sales Manager to lead inbound African and emerging market sales for a portfolio of luxury safari properties in Botswana and Zambia. You will drive revenue growth, deepen trade partnerships and maximise occupancy and enquiry conversion.

Based in South Africa, the ideal candidate has 5+ years in hospitality sales, proven travel trade relationships, and a strategic mindset. You will collaborate with marketing, reservations and leadership to deliver revenue targets and

Qualifications

• SA Citizen.
• Based in South Africa, near Durban, Cape Town or Johannesburg.
• At least 5 years’ sales experience in hospitality, DMC, inbound tourism or similar environment.
• Proven relationships with travel trade and a demonstrable sales track record.
• Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Commerce, Strategic Management or equivalent.
• Strong negotiation, presentation and interpersonal skills.
• Strategic planning, analytical and leadership capabilities.
• Experience with international travel markets and online sales platforms.
• Proficiency in Excel, PowerPoint and relevant tourism systems.
• A proactive, innovative and self-motivated approach with excellent relationship-building skills.
• A second language is desirable.
• Own transport and a valid drivers’ license.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute sales strategies for inbound and emerging markets, with focus on Zambia.
• Manage and grow relationships with wholesale, retail and trade partners, including key agent accounts.
• Drive FIT and group sales, negotiate agreements and identify ROI opportunities.
• Lead product training, presentations, familiarisation trips for trade partners.
• Develop compelling destination and product storytelling across digital, print, visual and verbal platforms.
• Collaborate with marketing, reservations, operations and leadership to improve sales performance and brand positioning.
• Analyse market trends and sales performance to translate insights into action.
• Develop budgets, manage expenditure, and contribute to pricing, rate and revenue strategies.
• Lead, motivate and develop a high-performing sales and reservations team.
• Support exceptional guest experiences while delivering revenue targets.

Skills

Sales leadership

Negotiation

Presentation skills

Interpersonal skills

Strategic planning

Analytical skills

Excel

PowerPoint

International travel markets

Education

Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Commerce, Strategic Management

Tools

Excel

PowerPoint

Tourism systems

Job description

We are seeking an experienced, dynamic and commercially driven Sales Manager to lead inbound African and emerging market sales, including retail. This role will be responsible for growing revenue, strengthening trade partnerships and maximising occupancy and enquiry conversion across a portfolio of luxury safari properties in Botswana and Zambia. The successful candidate will be an exceptional salesperson, relationship builder and strategic thinker, with a passion for African travel and a strong understanding of the international tourism trade.

Key responsibilities:

• Develop and execute sales strategies for inbound and emerging markets, with a particular focus on Zambia.
• Manage and grow relationships with wholesale, retail and trade partners, including key agent accounts.
• Drive FIT and group sales, negotiate agreements and identify opportunities that deliver strong ROI.
• Lead engaging product training, presentations, educational and familiarisation trips for trade partners.
• Develop compelling destination and product storytelling across digital, print, visual and verbal platforms.
• Work collaboratively with marketing, reservations, operations and senior leadership to improve sales performance and brand positioning.
• Analyse market trends, sales performance and opportunities, translating insights into measurable action.
• Develop budgets, manage expenditure, and contribute to pricing, rate and revenue strategies.
• Lead; motivate and develop a high-performing sales and reservations team.
• Support exceptional guest experiences while delivering ambitious revenue targets.

The ideal candidate will have:

• SA Citizen
• Based in South Africa within close proximity to either Durban, Cape Town or Johannesburg
• At least 5 years’ sales experience in hospitality, DMC, inbound tourism or a similar environment.
• Proven relationships with the travel trade and a demonstrable sales track record.
• A Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Commerce, Strategic Management or an equivalent qualification.
• Strong negotiation, presentation, communication and interpersonal skills.
• Strategic planning, analytical and leadership capabilities.
• Experience with international travel markets and online sales platforms.
• Proficiency in Excel, PowerPoint and relevant tourism systems.
• A proactive, innovative and self-motivated approach, with excellent relationship-building skills.
• A second language is desirable.
• Own transport and a valid drivers’ license